Vandoorne joins McLaren development programme

McLaren have signed Stoffel Vandoorne to their young driver programme.

The 20-year-old Belgian has shown impressive pedigree winning races and titles in both the F4 Eurocup 1.6 and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 development series.

Last season as well as winning the Formula Renault 2.0 title he also won five races in the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC [Northern European Cup] series, which left him with nine victories from twenty starts in 2012.

‘I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to be part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme,’ Vandoorne said to Autosport Magazine.

‘McLaren is one of the greatest names in global motorsport, and to be a part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme is an honour and a privilege.

‘I fully intend to do my very best to maximise this opportunity in terms of both learning and results for years to come.’

The McLaren young driver programme now boasts young talents such as Vandoorne, Kevin Magnussen and Nyck de Vries.